Well Well, Would ya Look at That…

Aug.24,2018

Remember the young parent-reared Whooping crane that stayed in Wisconsin last winter? I monitored her (38-17) and another young Whooper once they were released at Horicon NWR and while 39-17 headed south with Sandhill cranes, 38-17 decided to stay at the refuge. all. winter.

A few capture attempts were made but she evaded her captors each time so the decision was made to provide supplemental food.

Well 38-17 survived the brutally cold winter and looked none the worse for wear whenever Doug Pellerin sent along photographs of her.

Well today Doug messaged me and said she was not alone! Indeed she had found another Whooping crane – The lucky fella is male #63-15 who typically spends time on the northeast corner of the refuge.

I saw by 38-17’s GSM device that she ventured over that way earlier this week and I wondered if she might spot 63-15. Well it turns out she did and she managed to convince him to return to the west side of the refuge.